by Lexie Davis
Luke collected the remotes and put everything to the side as the family gathered around the Christmas tree. He sat on the floor with his back against the sofa and pulled Lani onto his lap, kissing her cheek.
“Lani, this is from us.” Jason brought a present to her.
“Momma, let me pick it out.” Zach smiled. “It’s really cool.”
Tears filled Lani’s eyes. “You guys bought me a gift?”
“Of course we did.” Gwen wrapped her arm around her husband. “Open it.”
Luke’s fingers lingered along Lani’s spine. She glanced at him and he nodded towards the present. Lani unwrapped the present and when she saw the bath set his sister-in-law bought her. It was her favourite brand in her favourite scent with accessories in a wooden bucket container.
“I picked the bucket one,” Zach said. “Jason wanted the boat but I liked the bucket. You can build a sandcastle with it and everything!”
“I would have been happy with either.” She hugged the boys to her. “Thank you so much. I love it.”
“You’re welcome.” Gwen smiled at her.
“Okay, now you can open ours.” Leslie pulled two bags out and handed them to Jason who brought them to Lani.
“More?” Lani chuckled.
“Well, you are pretty special to our son.” Leslie glanced at Luke before meeting Lani’s eyes again. “Anyone he finds special has a place here with us and our family loves to give out presents.”
Lani paused a moment and Luke rubbed her lower back in reassurance. She was special to him. He never brought women to meet his parents, and the moment he spoke to his mother after landing his job, the words ‘you’ve got to meet her’ had slipped out. She was all he talked about and he was too foolish to see it until now.
After they opened presents, the family gathered around the table for Christmas dinner. It was safe to say the McGraw family adopted Lani Mitchell as one of their own. Luke propped his arm on the back of Lani’s chair and watched as she helped Zach cut his piece of ham. Luke’d never had any doubts on how great she was with kids, but he loved watching her with his nephews.
“Okay, boys,” Gwen said, trying to round them up after dinner. “You need to tell everybody goodbye so we can go home and go to sleep. Santa comes tonight.”
Luke hugged his nephews and stood to help his brother carry their presents to the car.
“I really like this girl, Luke.” Gwen elbowed him when they were outside. “Will we be hearing wedding bells in the future?”
Wedding bells sounded pretty fucking fantastic with the way he felt. He chuckled at the irony of it. “We’ll see.”
He said his goodbyes and headed inside to find his mother entertaining Lani. They’d opened a bottle of wine and settled in the living room chatting about the project at the orphanage tomorrow.
“I actually grew up in an orphanage,” he heard Lani say. “I spent many Christmases wondering why no one cared about us. We rarely got new things, but when we did, we treasured them. I just wanted the kids at Potter’s to know that even when it doesn’t seem like it, there are people out there that care about them.”
Luke rubbed a hand over his face. How could he not see that? He entered the room and sat beside her on the couch. “You ready to go?”
“In a moment, Lucas.” Leslie refilled Lani’s glass. “Were you ever adopted by a family?”
Lani stared at her drink. “No. I lived in several foster homes and orphanages, over the years, but that’s it.”
Luke placed his hand on her thigh. What was he supposed to say to her? He knew her history, yet he didn’t know how to comfort her or reassure her or even if she wanted comfort and reassurance.
“It wasn’t so bad though. We had fun most days so I can’t complain.” Lani smiled. “Who else gets to grow up with twenty brothers and sisters, right?”
Leslie smiled. “I can’t imagine. I’m an only child.”
Luke groaned. “It was bad enough with Nate. He blamed me for everything growing up.”
“He still does,” Jeffery added.
Lani laughed.
They left his parents’ house around nine and drove back to his house. Luke hoped she’d had a good time. He unloaded their stuff and set everything in the dining room to be sorted through later.
“Hey, Luke?” She reached inside her purse and pulled out a small box. “I want you to open your gift.”
He frowned. “You didn’t have to get me anything.”
“Open it.” She handed it to him.
Luke took the package and pulled the top off the box. Inside was a black and white Montblanc pen. His jaw dropped as he took it out of the package, examining it. “You got me a six-hundred dollar pen?”
“Yes.” She shrugged. “Hannah told me you wouldn’t shut up about this pen so I bought you one. Now you can stop annoying my secretary.”
Luke pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “You know this only gives me bragging rights now. Damn. Thank you, sweetie. I love it.”
She ran her hand along his chest. “You’re welcome.”
He held her tighter. “You don’t get yours until morning.”
“That’s not fair.” Her hand brushed against his stomach. “You said you had two presents for me. I can have one now, and the other in the morning.”
She cupped his crotch and met his eyes. Luke couldn’t help smiling. He lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bedroom. His family loved her, and if he was completely honest with himself, he did too. He was in love with her.
They shed their clothes with record speed. Lani reached for the condom next to her pillow and Luke squeezed her hand. “Wait.”
He moved slightly, pulling the nightstand drawer out. After he selected what he wanted, he handed it to her. She glanced at it and looked up at him, eyebrows arched. “A candy cane condom?”
He shrugged. “I told you I had all kinds. Plus, it’s Christmas.”
She studied the package. “It says it tastes like peppermint.”
“Peppermint is an aphrodisiac.”
She laughed and shook her head. “I love you.”
Luke moved between her legs. “I love you too.”
He kissed her, preventing any possibility of a response. He didn’t want to deal with their feelings. He moved back to roll on the condom and stared into her eyes. All traces of laugher were gone as she looked up at him. Her eyes were glossy as if she were fighting her tears. He gripped his cock at the base and guided it to her entrance.
He pushed inside her, leaning over her body to lick the tip of one of her breasts. Her pussy opened for him, accepting him with wet warmth. God, he loved being inside her. He loved the feel of her hugging him so tight his head could explode. She hooked her legs around his thighs and held on to his sides. If he had his way, he’d keep her in bed until they were due back to work in January.
“Kiss me, Luke.”
He lifted his head and did as she asked. He struggled to keep control as her tongue touched his. She tasted like the wine his mother had given her. He could try the rest of his life to get his fill of her, but he’d never get enough.
Lani clenched around him, arching her back of the mattress as pleasure came over her. Luke pulled back just in time to watch the transformation. Her nails bit into his back, leaving light scratches where her hands laid. Her lips parted, a small cry leaving them as he thrust inside her, giving her exactly what she needed.
She was beautiful in that state.
Their eyes met. He couldn’t hold back his own pleasure any longer. He rolled her over and thrust one last time inside her, spilling his come into the rubber sheath. Lani cupped his cheek and pressed a kiss to his lips.
“I think this is the best Christmas I’ve ever had.”
He smiled. No words could convey how happy that statement made him.
Chapter Five
“Wake up.” Luke pressed a tender kiss against her lips.
Lani groaned and rubbed her eyes. “What?”
“It’s Christmas.” Luke laughed. “Here. You finally get to open your present.”
“I liked the present I got last night.” She pushed up from the mattress, a bit sore from the previous night of sex. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so damn good in her life and it was on a holiday. “What else did you get me?”
He reached for a box beside the bed and handed it to her. She arched an eyebrow at the size of the package. It was far bigger than the little gift she’d gotten him. She lifted it and shook it gently, making him laugh.
“Open it.”
Lani ripped the red and green paper and pulled the box free. She lifted the top off and smiled at what was inside. Louis Vuitton was a genius and Luke knew she loved his products. She lifted the purse out of the box and her grin widened. It was the new bag she wanted from the fall line.
“How did you know?”
He laughed. “Powers of observation.”
“But I never mentioned it.” She hugged the leather purse to her body.
“Maybe not with words. Subtle hints were everywhere though.” He tossed the box to the floor beside the bed. “And Hannah said that was at the top of your list.”
“Thank you so much.”
He leant over to kiss her. “You’re welcome, sweetheart. Merry Christmas.”
Lani wrapped her arms around his neck and held him close as tears filled her eyes. He pushed the box out of the way and pulled her onto his lap, kissing her cheek lightly.
“You deserve to be happy, Lani.”
She moved back and wiped her tears. “I am.”
He watched her a moment while she collected herself. “I regret not asking you out right after our interview four years ago.”
She laughed. “I would have said no. I might have even fired you on the spot.”
“Nah.” He brushed his lips against hers. “You would have said yes, and we would have gone back to my place and had amazing sex all night long.”
“You’re so sure of that?”
“Definitely.” He wrapped his arms around her and lay back against the pillows with her on top of him. “We would have moved in together after a year of having a hot love affair. Maybe we’d have gotten married.”
“You’d have to get me a big diamond ring for that to have happen.”
He chuckled. “Fair enough. You’d have to give me a raise, though, to afford it.”
She smiled and skimmed her fingers along his chest. “Where would we be now?”
“Oh, I don’t know. It’s a toss up of spending night after night having wild, steamy sex or parenthood. It could really go either way or both ways, even.”
She propped her head up and stared at him. “Do you want kids?”
“You gonna have them?” His expression was so serious it made her heart skip a beat.
“Uh, not this second, no.” She pushed up from his warm body, straddling his hips. “I’m kind of enjoying your entertaining condom stash right now. I never know what you’ll come up with next.”
His cock pressed against her and she wiggled on top of him. Luke groaned and squeezed her hips. “Grab one and fuck me.”
She reached for the nightstand drawer and pulled it out. He didn’t joke when he said he had all kinds. She laughed and sorted through them, finding the one she wanted.
“How long do you think it’ll take for us to use up all of those?” Luke sat up and kissed her. He took the condom and undid it, rolling it on himself.
“I don’t know.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and lifted her hips. “You planning on buying more, or having that kid you talked about earlier?”
He pushed up inside her. “We’ll see.”
* * * *
Going to the orphanage was a hell of a lot easier to deal with, with Luke by her side. The kids were extremely happy somebody new came to see them. Lani remembered that feeling and squeezed Luke’s hand for reassurance. He was there for her in all the times she’d needed him in the past, and he was there for her now.
“You okay?” he asked.
“I’m fine.” She stared at the kids playing in the main room. “It brings back memories.”
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her against him. “You’re an amazing woman.”
She glanced up at him. “Why do you say that?”
“Because.” He avoided her eyes, “after all you went through, you still hold your head high. Many would spend their time having pity parties for themselves, but you sponsor an entire orphanage just because you don’t want them to feel what you felt. That’s pretty amazing.”
“Wouldn’t you do the same?”
He finally met her eyes. “Truthfully, probably not. I didn’t even want to come here tonight, remember?”
“Why did you then?”
“Because I wanted to be with you.” He kissed her forehead. “And if that means pulling on a Santa suit and saying ‘ho, ho, ho’ to a bunch of snotty-nosed kids I don’t know, then I’ll do it.”
He did it for her. She couldn’t possibly love him anymore than she did at that moment.
When Luke sneaked away to get dressed, Lani settled with the smaller kids; building towers out of blocks with the boys and trying to entertain the girls with books.
“Hey, Lani.” Chuck from accounting waved at her as he entered the main recreation area. His wife and daughter were by his side.
“Hey, Chuck. What are you doing here?”
He smiled. “I came to pass out Christmas presents.”
She glanced toward the door as the board members entered, each bringing some of their family members along. They all said their hi’s and joined in, playing with the kids. Her throat tightened with emotion as she glanced around. For the second time that day, she battled her tears and lost. It meant a lot that her employees came to support her cause.
“Ho, ho, ho.” Luke came out in full Santa gear and sat in the provided chair. The kids cheered and lined up to each take their turns sitting on Santa’s lap.
Lani wiped her wet cheeks and watched him with a smile. It was definitely the best Christmas she’d ever experienced.
“You look happy, boss.” Rafe, chairman of the board, grinned as he came up beside her. “Did Santa make your wishes come true?”
She laughed. “You have no idea.”
They stayed until it was time for the children to go to bed. Lani thanked her staff for taking the time to join her in uplifting the kids’ spirits for Christmas. She stood in the main recreation room with a garbage bag at hand and cleaned up the discarded paper.
“Are you Mrs. Claus tonight?”
She laughed, keeping her back to Luke. “Nope. I’m not married.”
He wrapped his arms around her waist. “Santa’s naughty mistress then?”
She closed her eyes. Luke gave her everything she wanted. She turned in his arms to see him smile at her. He’d lost the beard, but kept the rest of the garb on. She cupped his cheeks and kissed him.
“What was that for?” He smiled.
She shrugged. “Santa’s pretty hot.”
“Actually, Santa’s cold. He needs to share body heat with a sexy woman to stay warm.” He nuzzled her neck. “That was my plan going into this anyway.”
“I have wicked, wicked plans for you later.”
“You do?” he arched an eyebrow.
“After we get done here.” She kissed him again.
“I can’t wait.”
* * * *
Luke unlocked his front door and flipped on the light. It had taken them two hours to clean up the mess, and they’d spent another hour talking with the staff at work before they finally called it a night.
“You can now have your wicked way with me.” He fell onto the couch and grinned at her.
Lani undid her jacket. “I need to set up a few things. Stay in here.”
Luke watched her leave the room, heading down the hall towards his bedroom. What could she possibly have to set up? He propped himself up with an elbow against the back
of the couch, staring at his bedroom door.
She’d been so happy tonight. He knew seeing her staff there helped. They were practically the only family she knew and it meant the world to her that they took time out of their lives to assist. And that’s why he’d bargained with the devil to get them there. He sighed. He did it for her though. And the smile on her face all night long was worth it.
He stood and walked down the hallway. Having her here felt right. He knocked on the door and twisted the door knob.
Lani stood next to the bed while she rolled on red stockings and clipped them to her garter belt. He damn near fainted. The corset she wore was red and laced up the front with white fur covering the cups. He leant against the door and let his gaze slid down her body, taking in the red garter belt and cute little satin thong. His mouth watered.
“Did you buy that for me?”
She swivelled around. “You’re supposed to be waiting in the living room.”
“Why the hell would I wait in there while you’re wearing this in here?” He took a step forward. “Damn, you look sexy.”
She sucked in a breath, almost as if she was unsure whether to smile or scold him. “You ruined my surprise.”
“I doubt that.”
She rolled her eyes. “I was going to do a striptease for you.”
He moved even closer to her. “Do it for me now.”
“It’s not the same.” She pouted and looked too damn cute. “Maybe I should make you do the striptease.”
“Cue the music.”
She reached the remote and turned on the radio, which had played a variety of Christmas music all day long. From the speakers played ‘Santa Baby’.
He started with his shirt and pulled it over his head, without much finesse. He threw it at her. She giggled and caught it, watching his every move. He worked his jeans next and tossed them to the side. He wore red boxers in spirit of the holiday and propped his hands on his hips.
“Your turn.” He climbed in bed and sat against the pillows, making himself comfortable. She crawled towards him. “Did you buy any toys when you stopped off at the sex shop?”
